Exercising device

ABSTRACT

An exercising apparatus wherein a pair of pulleys having operating cables wound therearound are connected in one-way driving engagement to independently rotatable members, the free rotation of the members being retarded by their respective engagement with a commonly adjusted frictional element. The pulleys, when the cables are pulled, rotate in one direction so as to rotate the rotatable members, and are counterrotated by springs connected thereto so as to rewind the cables thereon when the latter are released.

United States Patent 1,344,002 6/1920 Kibler 272/79 X FOREIGN PATENTS 998,878 9/1951 France 272/83 A 601,058 8/1934 Germany. 272/83 A 647,689 7/1937 Germany 272/83 A 148,953 1922 Great Britain 272/79 1,078,777 8/1967 Great Britain 272/80 Primary Examiner-Anton 0. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Arnold W. Kramer Au0rney Lyle G, Trorey ABSTRACT: An exercising apparatus wherein a pair of pulleys having operating cables wound therearound are connected in one-way driving engagement to independently rotatable members, the free rotation of the members being retarded by their respective engagement with a commonly adjusted frictional element. The pulleys, when the cables are pulled, rotate in one direction so as to rotate the rotatable members, and are counterrotated by springs connected thereto so as to rewind the cables thereon when the latter are released.

ATENTEUUCT 5X97! 3.610.617

SHEET 1 BF 3 if 5 Z5 //8 Douglas 1. Hepburn,

Inventor Lyle G rorey,

A lent PATENTED mm 5 :97:

SHEET 3 BF 3 1 lllllllll'll'll I Douglas I. Hepburn,

In ntor y% Lyle G. rorey,

A -nt EXERCISING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an exercising device and in particular to a portable exercising device which, when used, simulates the exercises obtainable with the use of dumbbells, barbells, exercising machines, pulley machines and the like.

There are many and varied types of exercising devices, for example dumbbells, barbells, and spring loaded or weight loaded devices operated by ropes and cables. These last-mentioned devices are suitable for use in gymnasia and other like locations, however due to their bulk and weight they are cumbersome and difficult to move from place to place. These factors, and others therefore, tend to preclude their use where the individual, desiring to take exercise, does a considerable amount of travelling.

It is appreciated that portable exercisers have heretofore been designed however these last-mentioned exercisers or exercising devices have not proven entirely satisfactory as they have required, in the main, the provision of attaching devices whereby they may be secured to the floors, walls or ceilings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an exercising device which is highly portable, which is light and of relatively small dimension yet which permits the individual taking exercise to perform in a most rigorous manner, those exercises associated with weight lifting.

The present invention, furthermore, provides an exercising device, which, although of light construction is durable yet which may be manufactured at very low cost.

The present invention also provides an exercising device which does not require direct attachment to a floor and which, therefore, can be used without damaging or defacing quarters in which the individual finds himself.

The present exercising device includes a rotatable member mounted on a base, and which is manually rotated against brake means which frictionally resist rotation thereof. The rotatable member is connected, in driven engagement for rotation in one direction, with a pulley, the latter being rotated in said one direction by a manually operated cable which is wound therearound. Means are provided for adjusting the frictional resistance offered by the brake means to the rotation of the rotatable member and resilient means operably connected to the pulley operate to counterrotate the latter, when the cable is released so as to rewind the cable thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the exercising device with parts thereof broken away,

FIG. l-A, appearing on sheet 3 of the drawings, is an isometric view of another embodiment of the exercising device,

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the exercising device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged central sectional side view of a portion of the exercising device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5 5 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 appearing on sheet 3 of the drawings, is a sectional view of a portion of an operating bar for operating the exercising device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 is a side view of a handle arrangement for operating a cable,

FIG. 8 is a side view of a hook attachment for the exercising device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 9 appearing on sheet 2 of the drawings is a view similar to FIG. 3 of yet another embodiment of the exercising device.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 one embodiment 10 of the exercising device. Device 10, (refer to FIGS. 1 and 2) in general includes a base structure 11 of generally rectangular shape and having a nonslip upper surface 12 upon which an individual taking exercise can sit kneel or stand, and having an elongated operating bar 13 from opposite ends 14 and 15 of which cables 17 and 18 extend, the cables being wound on, left and right pulleys 2! and 22, respectively, which pulleys are of equal diameter and are operatively connected to left and right restraining and release assemblies 25 and 26 said pulleys forming part of associated assemblies 25 and 26 arranged, in a manner hereinafter to be described, to restrain rotation of said pulleys in a direction in which they rotate, when the operating bar 13 is pulled away from the base structure 11, and to rotate the pulleys in an opposite direction when the operating bar is released thus rewinding the cables on their respective pulleys.

The base structure 11 includes a base block 30 of rectangu lar shape having a thickness slightly greater than the diameter of the pulleys so as to extend above and below the latter. This base block can be of wooden construction having an undersurface 33. The block is formed so as to have a centrally located, longitudinally extending, rectangularly shaped way 32 opening out of its undersurface 33 so as to form a pair of opposed side sections 34 and 35 on opposite sides of a central section 36, the latter having an undersurface 37 which extends in planar parallelism with the upper surface 12 of the base structure and the undersurface 33 of the base block. This central section 36 is cut away at either end to define rectangularly shaped and outwardly opening spaces 38 and 39, of width and length a little greater than the diameter and length, respectively, of the pulleys 21 and 22 so as to fully encompass the latter.

The central portion 36 is also provided with a centrally located, longitudinally extending semicircular groove 40 formed in undersurface 39 running from end to end thereof and with a centrally located, vertically extending bore 41 which intersects the groove 40.

Slidably fitting in the way 32 is a rectangularly shaped lower clamping block 43. This lower clamping block, which is substantially the same length as the central section 36 of the base block 30, has an upper surface 44 in which is formed a centrally located longitudinally extending semicircular groove 45 of the same diameter as groove 40, and which cooperates with the latter to define substantially cylindrical passage. Block 43 having an undersurface 43.1 indicated by a broken guide line is also provided with a vertical bore 47 which intersects groove 45 and which is adapted to register with bore 41.

A spacer 50, (see FIGS. 2 and 3) which is preferably formed of a short length of metal pipe, is fastened in position in the groove 45 over bore 47. The spacer 50 has a short, central, thin section 52 having a transversely extending passage 53 formed therethrough the spacer being fastened to the block 43 by means of screws, 55 and 56 which extend through suitable holes 57 and 58 positioned in longitudinal alignment with, and on either side of passage 53. The screws 55 and 56 which have heads 61 and 62 are only driven partially into the block 43 so that their heads 61 and 62, respectively, protrude.

Fastened to blocks 30 and 43 over the grooves 40 and 45 therein are frictional or braking elements 65 and 66, respectively. (Reference FIGS. 3 and 4) These frictional elements are, preferably, thin strips of leather which are sufficiently pliable as to conform to the shape of the grooves. Frictional ele ment 65 is secured, as by nails 67 applied along one edge, (being an advance edge) to the base block 30 while frictional element 66, which is formed as two parts. 66.] and 66.2 on either side of the spacer 50 is nailed along an opposite edge to lower clamping block 43.

With device 10 in assembled form the spacer 50, lower clamping blocks 43 and base blocks are arranged so that the bores 41 and 47 and passage 53 are axially aligned to form a common passage for a bolt 70, the latter having a knob 71 at one end and being threaded at its other end 74.

The knob 71 of the bolt 70 rotatably bears against a bearing washer 75 which fits in a countersunk portion 76 formed in the upper surface of the face block 30 centrally of the bore 41 and a wing nut 77 is threaded on end 74 and bearing against a similar bearing washer 78 which fits against the under surface 43.1 of the lower clamping block 43. The wing nut is arranged so that it is nonrotatable relative to the lower clamping block 43. Thelatter is therefore provided with a suitably shaped countersunk portion, not shown, into which the wing nut nonrotatably fits.

It will be appreciated that in place of the wing nut, other well known suitably threaded devices can be employed, for example, a plate which can be nonrotatably fixed to the undersurface of the lower clamping block and which is provided with a threaded aperture for threadedly receiving the threaded end of the bolt. This is not shown in the drawings as structure of this nature are well known to those versed in mechanical arts.

It will be seen that the lower clamping block 43 and central section 36 of the base block can be tightened or loosened relative to each other by suitably turning the knob 71. The base block and the lower clamping block 43 therefore act in the nature of split clamps and constitute brake blocks.

The assemblies 25 and 26 are mounted between the frictional elements 65 and 66 (reference FIGS. 3 and 4).

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be seen that assembly 26 includes a rotatable member which is an elongated, thick walled, hollow, cylindrical shaft 82. This shaft has a smoothly ground outer braking surface 83 and is of outside diameter substantially the same as that of the passage provided by the complementary grooves 40 and 45. One end 85 of this shaft rotatably bears against one end of the spacer 50 whereas the other end 86 extends beyond the right end (as viewed in HO.

3) of central section 36 and block 43 so as to provide an extending end portion 87 said end portion having a plurality of short, longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced apart slots 90 formed therein.

Pulley 22 is rotatably mounted on the extending end portion 87 of the shaft 82. As clearly illustrated in FIGS. 3 and pulley 22 includes an elongated cylindrical core 93 having an inner end face 94 and an outer end face 95. To the core is fitted a sleeve 97 which can be made of one of the thermoplastics of other suitable material and is molded so as to have a continuous helically extending external groove 98 formed in outer surface 99, the helix formed by the grooves having a mean diameter D being the effective diameter of the pulley. This sleeve is nonrotatably fastened to the core by means of screws 100.

Opening out of the inner face 94 is a blind axial bore 101, shown in FIG. 3, having a bottom 102 and opening through the bottom 102 and outwardly of the outer end face 95 of said core is an axial passage 103. The bore 101 has a diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the extending end portion 87 so as to have a running fit thereto. A conventional thrust bearing 105 is also fitted against the bottom 102 of the bore 101 for engagement with the outer end 86 of the shaft 82.

The core 93 is provided with a radially extending passage 104 having a square cross sectional shape, the passage 104 extending between, and opening outwardly of, the surface of the core and inwardly into the bore 101 and which is aligned with the slots 90. Slidably mounted in the passage 104 is a pawl 108 having a square cross-sectional configuration. The pawl is urged into engagement, at one end 109, with the extending end portion 87 of shaft 82, by a compression spring 110 fitting in the passage 104 between the sleeve 97 and pawl. The end 109 of the pawl is arranged to engage any one of the slots 90 and is so formed as to connect the pulley 22 and the shaft 82 for mutual rotation when the pulley is rotated in one direction (as shown by an arrow 113) and automatically to disengage said shaft and pulley when the latter is rotated in the opposite direction so as to permit the pulley to rotate independently of the shaft. The pawl and slots thus provide interlocking means.

Resilient means being a rubber band 115 which passes through the shaft 82, extends between and is not rotatably connected to screw 56 and a screw 116, the latter being employed to fix a cover plate 117 to the outer face of the core. The elastic band is arranged so that it extends under a slight tension so as to maintain said pulley 22 against the outer end 86 of the shaft 82 and is twisted about a length normally to urge the pulley to rotate in a direction opposite to the direction as indicated by arrow 113. Cable 18 has an end opposite to the end connected to the operating bar 13 connected to the sleeve 97, such as by a staple or the like, now shown, and is wound upon the sleeve 97 along the groove 98 therein in a direction which, when the operating bar is pulled away from the base structure 11, will result in rotation of the pulley 22 in a direction (arrow 113) in which the pawl 108 will operate to engage the pulley and shaft 82 for mutual rotation.

Assembly 25 is the same as, but in counterposed relationship to assembly 26. Assembly 25 includes a rotatable member 118 which is the same as member 82 and which is connectable to pulley 21 in the same manner as pulley 22 is connectable to member 82. A rubber band 119 which acts in the same manner as band 115 extends between screw 55 and a screw, similar to screw 116 on pulley 21. Pulleys 21 and 22, it will be seen, operate independently of each other.

The operating bar 13 (refer to FIGS. 2 and 6) is of multipart construction having a central section 120, tubular intermediate sections 121 and 122 and end sections 123 and 124, respectively, to which the cables 17 and 18 respectively, are connected. The central section 120, terminates at its ends in elongated spigots 125 and 126 over which intermediate sections 121 and 122, respectively, slidably fit. Referring to FIG. 6, it will be seen that intermediate section 122 has inserted therein and secured thereto as by welding a tubular insert 127 having an apertured inner base 128. End section 124 slidably and rotatably fits over the tubular insert 127 and is provided with an outer end 124.1 with a cup-shaped insert 129 which, like tubular insert 127, also has an apertured base 130. A bolt 131 extends between the apertured bases 128 and rotatably connects the end section 124 to the intermediate section 122. End section 123 and intermediate section 121 are connected to each other in the above described manner. As illustrated in FIG. 6, cable 18 extends through an aperture 133 formed in end section 124 just clear of base 130 knotted as seen at 133.1. Cable 17 is similarly secured to end section 123. The interconnected pairs of end and intermediate sections, it will be seen may be easily slipped on or off center section 120 for mutual or independent operation, respectively.

In setting up the exercising device 10 for independent operation of the cables, the intermediate sections are slipped off the spigots 125 and 126 and stirrups 134 (one being shown in P16. 7) secured to each of the interconnected pairs of end and intermediate sections. As seen in H6. 7 each stirrup is formed as a flat strip of metal bent to a U-shape so as to have a base 134.1 and spaced side members 134.2 provided with axially aligned apertures 134.3 near outer ends thereof through which the interconnected pair of end and intermediate sections 124 and 122 are inserted providing a handgrip. The base of each stirrup has formed therein, and centrally thereof a cable confining keyhole opening 135, for locating the cable centrally of the handgrip.

In order to provide the exercising device 10 with an eyepleasing exterior a cover strip can be extended around the edges of the base block 30. Cover plates 141 and 142 having apertures 143 and 144, respectively, extend, are secured by screws or the like to the base block over the spaces 38 and 39. The base block can also be provided with a carrying handle 147 and a base plate 148.

In setting up and using exercising device 10, cables 17 and 18 are wound on their respective pulleys, in the manner hereinbefore described, with the rubber bands 115 and 119 slightly wound in the normal direction so as to draw the operating bar towards the base structure 11. The frictional elements 65 and 66 are then tightened over the rotatable members 82 and 118 by rotating the bolt 70 so as to move the lower clamping block 43 towards the base block 30. in order to prevent the operating bar 13 from being drawn fully against the upper surface of the said base structure knots 150, FIGS. 2 and 7, are tied in the cables adjacent said operating bar which knots will not pass through the cover plate apertures 143 and 144.

The individual wishing to take exercise may then stand, kneel or sit upon the base structure 11 and pull or push the operating bar away from the latter. Movement of the bar is retarded or restrained as the pulleys 21 and 22 which are, through mediacy of the pawl 108, nonrotatably engaged with the rotatable members 82 and 118, rotate the latter against the frictional elements 65 and 66. The rubber bands 115 and 119, which are further wound as the operating bar 13 is moved away from the structure 11, will return the operating bar to its initial position when outward pressure is discontinued, as they operate to rewind the cables on the pulleys.

The knob 71 FIG. 1 is provided with a pointer 71.1 cooperating with a graduated scale 71.2. With the pointer at, a particular position the friction elements 65, 66, FIG. 2 are urged against the outer surfaces of the rotatable members 1 18, 82 by a force depending upon tightening of the bolt 70, providing a braking moment resisting rotation of the rotatable members. To rotate for instance the pulley 22 it is required that the cable 18 be pulled outwards to develop a tension T in said cable sufficient to overcome the braking moment M. Where D is the mean diameter of the helix on the pulley, rotation will commence when T exceeds 2 M/D. Since D is constant, and M is a function of the force urging the friction elements against the rotating members, the scale 71.2 can be graduated in terms of T, suitably both in pounds and Kilograms. Thus, with the pointer set at 100 pounds, the cable will commence to unwind when T just exceeds this, simulating lift of a 100 pound weight. Models of the exercising device are available with T being continuously adjustable to 500 pounds, permitting a wide range of graded exercises. Smaller lighter models are available with T having a maximum of 200 pounds.

As the pulleys operate independently of each other it will be realized that the exerciser offers much the same form of exercise as is obtained with the use of bar bells and the like.

The device can be constructed with T having a desired fixed value determined either by a fixed setting of the screw, or equivalently by compression spring means (not shown) giving a fixed braking moment. The variable T embodiment is preferred. As well, the device can be constructed with but one cable and pulley as shown in FIG. 1-A and designated generally l0-A. The F IG. l-A device is not described in detail, being essentially an operative half of the FIG. 1 device, construction of which embodiment -A will be apparent from the preceding descriptions.

Two F lG. l-A embodiments placed side by side effectively provide an exercising device according to FIG. 1, while with the devices separated two people can exercise one using each.

The braking means described and illustrated is simple and effective. Drum and band configurations, disc configurations, and other known brake means (not shown) can be used as equivalents. It is essential that a brake means be provided, but the particular means used is unimportant to my invention.

Furthermore although the interlocking means for interlocking the pulleys and their associated rotatable members, as herein described, is effective, other means such as overacting clutches and the like, may be employed.

In order to lend versatility to the exercising device 10, the latter can be equipped with a pair of books 151 (one being shown in FIG. 8). These hooks are generally each C-shaped and each has a threaded stud 152 extending from one end. The book may be detachably secured to the base block 30 by means of the stud. The hooks are employed to suspend the exerciser from wall bars and the like to permit various exercises to be performed.

F IG. 9 illustrates, partially, another form 160 of the exercising device. Device 160 is constructed in much the same manner as is device 10, consequently, components thereof which are the same as components of device 10 are accorded the same reference numerals.

A difference between exercising device 160 and device 10 lies in the manner in which the pulleys 21 and 22 are arranged to rewind their associated cables. Device 160 instead of employing rubber bands and 119 as does device 10, uses elongated helical springs 161 and 162 having suitable hooks formed at their ends for engaging the screws, 55 and 56 and the pulleys 21 and 22.

Rods 165 and 166 extend through the springs 161 and 162 to prevent axial distortion of the latter when they are wound by the rotation of their associated pulleys.

Device and device 10 are otherwise of the same construction.

It will be seen that in both devices 10 and 160, due to the fact that the bolt is located centrally between the rotatable members and as the rotatable members are the same, clamping pressure applied by the bolt is applied equally to both rotatable members. Consequently, the breaking moments effected by frictional engagement of the frictional elements with the rotatable members are the same; as is the tension in the cables when the latter are pulled to rotate the pulleys. An individual taking the exercise must, therefore, apply substantially the same pressure with both hands against the operating bar to move the latter away from the base structure, thus obtaining substantially the same muscular development in each arm.

lclaim:

1. An exercising device adapted to simulate weight lifting and similar exercises, the device including:

a. a base structure having a fixed member and a movable member arranged for movement away from and towards the fixed member, the members having adjacent faces,

b. frictional braking elements secured to adjacent faces of the members,

c. a pair of independently rotatable members each having a cylindrical braking surface, arranged between the frictional braking elements, the rotatable members being the same and being arranged in coaxial relationship,

d. a pulley mounted for free rotation on each rotatable member,

e. interlocking means automatically engaging each rotatable member and its pulley for mutual rotation when the pulleys are rotated in one direction and permitting free rotation of each pulley when rotated in an opposite direction,

f. a cable wound on each pulley being adapted when pulled to rotate the pulley and rotatable member in said one direction,

g. resilient means connecting each pulley and the base structure normally urging the pulleys to rotate in said opposite direction so as to rewind the cables around the pulleys when the cables are released,

h. and means connecting the fixed and moveable members for moving the frictional elements into frictional engagement with the braking surfaces, said means extending intermediately between the rotatable members so that pressure applied to each of the braking surfaces is the same.

2. An exercising device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means connecting the fixed and movable members is adjustable so as to permit variation in pressure of the frictional elements against the rotatable members.

3. An exercising device as claimed in claim 2 in which the means connecting the fixed and movable members is a bolt having a head bearing on the fixed member and a nut bearing on the movable member.

4. An exercising device as claimed. in claim 1 wherein'the adjacent faces of the fixed and movable members have com plementary cylindrical grooves and the frictional elements are then strips of leather lining the grooves, the strips of leather each being secured at a respective edge to the fixed and movable members with said edges constituting advance edges relative to the direction of rotation of the rotatable members when rotated in said one direction.

5. An exercising device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the pulleys has a cylindrical surface having a helical groove for guiding the cables when the latter are wound on the pulleys. 

1. An exercising device adapted to simulate weight lifting and similar exercises, the device including: a. a base structure having a fixed member and a movable member arranged for movement away from and towards the fixed member, the members having adjacent faces, b. frictional braking elements secured to adjacent faces of the members, c. a pair of independently rotatable members each having a cylindrical braking surface, arranged between the frictional braking elements, the rotatable members being the same and being arranged in coaxial relationship, d. a pulley mounted for free rotation on eAch rotatable member, e. interlocking means automatically engaging each rotatable member and its pulley for mutual rotation when the pulleys are rotated in one direction and permitting free rotation of each pulley when rotated in an opposite direction, f. a cable wound on each pulley being adapted when pulled to rotate the pulley and rotatable member in said one direction, g. resilient means connecting each pulley and the base structure normally urging the pulleys to rotate in said opposite direction so as to rewind the cables around the pulleys when the cables are released, h. and means connecting the fixed and moveable members for moving the frictional elements into frictional engagement with the braking surfaces, said means extending intermediately between the rotatable members so that pressure applied to each of the braking surfaces is the same.
 2. An exercising device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means connecting the fixed and movable members is adjustable so as to permit variation in pressure of the frictional elements against the rotatable members.
 3. An exercising device as claimed in claim 2 in which the means connecting the fixed and movable members is a bolt having a head bearing on the fixed member and a nut bearing on the movable member.
 4. An exercising device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the adjacent faces of the fixed and movable members have complementary cylindrical grooves and the frictional elements are then strips of leather lining the grooves, the strips of leather each being secured at a respective edge to the fixed and movable members with said edges constituting advance edges relative to the direction of rotation of the rotatable members when rotated in said one direction.
 5. An exercising device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the pulleys has a cylindrical surface having a helical groove for guiding the cables when the latter are wound on the pulleys. 